Mega-storm Sandy

[phongn]

:/



(I crosschecked with NOAA's GFS visualization site, it's legit)

[Zaune]

Well, here's something to lighten the mood.

The Antiplanner, aka Randal O'Toole. Aptly named, as well; "tool" was definitely one of the first words that came to mind while reading this, just after "complete and utter".

Should New York Rebuild the Subways?

After Hurricane Katrina, some people argued that we shouldn’t rebuild New Orleans, not simply because it was below sea level but because the city was economically and politically dysfunctional. The same argument could be made for the New York City subway system, which was so heavily damaged by Sandy that repairing it could cost “tens of billions of dollars.”

It’s not just the subways, of course: the entire transit system has been damaged. But in the suburbs, at least, buses on streets can easily substitute for rail.

The issue with the subways is not that the cost of repairing the system is so high but that maybe it doesn’t make sense anyway. New York is the only city in the country that truly depends on rail transit. More than 60 percent of commuters in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan, and 51 percent of those in Queens, get to work on transit. This transit, and particularly the subways, supports ridiculously high population and job densities: Manhattan is about 20 times denser, and Brooklyn and the Bronx 10 times denser, than they would be if we built them today.

Transit, particularly subways, is vital to those densities because the city’s street network–particularly in Manhattan–simply cannot support all the density by itself. New York subways are the only rail lines in America that move more people per rail mile than urban freeways move per lane mile. Having them thus significantly increases the ability to move people into, around, and out of Manhattan and the other boroughs.

As long as New York already had a subway, it probably made sense to maintain it. But building new subways, such as the Second Avenue subway which is costing more than $2 billion a mile, makes no sense. Will it make sense to perform costly repairs of the subways heavily damaged by Sandy?

There are those who argue that density has a great economic value and that all cities would be denser if it weren’t for barriers put in the way of density. On the other hand, if densities were lower, the damage from storms such as Sandy or other events such as earthquakes would be a lot lower.

Operating and maintaining New York’s transit system costs $10 billion a year more than fare collections. While increasing fares by an average of $2.50 per ride could cover those costs, this wouldn’t be enough as the system isn’t being maintained to a state of good repair. Most of the subsidies come from auto users, out of either federal gas taxes or bridge tolls that are diverted to transit.

There are two alternatives to rebuilding the subways. The drastic alternative is to simply let the city fend for itself without subways. A more realistic alternative would be to convert the subways into underground busways. Electric buses could move just about as many people as the subways do with far less infrastructure.

Battery-powered buses in particular would require almost no infrastructure other than rechargers (and the tunnels themselves, of course, which as far as I know weren’t damaged by the storm). At eighteen feet in height, the tunnels are tall enough for double-decker buses, which should be able to move about as many people per hour as the subway trains. With minimal added infrastructure, the buses could even be driverless, making them far less expensive to operate and maintain than rails.

It may turn out that only a few of New York’s 400-plus route miles of subways were harmed by the storm. But if it was significantly more, the city should seriously consider beginning a transition from rail subways to bus subways.

[Tribun]

Is this satire?

I can't tell since the US recently had so many batshit idiots who were dead-serious that it has become hard to distinguish satire from reality.

[Dominus Atheos]

A more realistic alternative would be to convert the subways into underground busways. Electric buses could move just about as many people as the subways do with far less infrastructure.

Battery-powered buses in particular would require almost no infrastructure other than rechargers (and the tunnels themselves, of course, which as far as I know weren’t damaged by the storm). At eighteen feet in height, the tunnels are tall enough for double-decker buses, which should be able to move about as many people per hour as the subway trains. With minimal added infrastructure, the buses could even be driverless, making them far less expensive to operate and maintain than rails.

It may turn out that only a few of New York’s 400-plus route miles of subways were harmed by the storm. But if it was significantly more, the city should seriously consider beginning a transition from rail subways to bus subways.

So... he wants to turn the subways into buses that work exactly like subways?

[Mr Bean]

So... he wants to turn the subways into buses that work exactly like subways?

Exactly only you know, I bet if you asked if he intended to ban all private cars from New York he'd say no. The amount of volume the subway handles is staggering, not to mention all the efficiency benefits from loading up multiple subway cars vs multiple buses.

[weemadando]

That's a global problem. We've got people making bank in Australia because of the argument that "people use roads and of we build new toll roads then more people would use roads so why would the govt keep funding public transport?"

[Slacker]

That article is out of its fucking mind.

Partial subway service will be back online tomorrow. Here's the map:
http://www.mta.info/sites/default/files ... 312012.pdf

Basically, everything south of 42nd St is still getting major repairs, including the underground links between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Links that would have to exist in some form even if we went magically to buses. Which is window-licking levels of dumb.

We'll see how things shake out. I figure by Monday we'll be mostly back up and running.

[bilateralrope]

In other stupid news:

Bush’s FEMA Director During Katrina Criticizes Obama For Responding To Sandy Too Quickly

By Hayes Brown on Oct 30, 2012 at 1:04 pm

Former FEMA Director Michael Brown offered criticism of President Obama’s early responses to Hurricane Sandy yesterday, including a dig at the administration’s response to last month’s attack in Libya.

Yesterday, ahead of the storm’s pummeling of the eastern seaboard, Brown gave an interview to the local alternative paper, the Denver Westword, on how he believed the Obama administration was responding to Sandy too quickly and that Obama had spoken to the press about Sandy’s potential effect too early.

Brown turned then to a reliable right-wing attack on the President’s response to the attack on a U.S. diplomatic outpost in Benghazi that killed four Americans:

“One thing he’s gonna be asked is, why did he jump on [the hurricane] so quickly and go back to D.C. so quickly when in…Benghazi, he went to Las Vegas?” Brown says. “Why was this so quick?… At some point, somebody’s going to ask that question…. This is like the inverse of Benghazi.”

Conservatives have been hitting Obama for weeks on his attendance at a fundraiser in Nevada following the assault in Benghazi, claiming at alternate times that the President either cared more about politics than lives lost or that he was trying to downplay the attack’s significance. Now the critique has mutated into a belief that Obama is currently “playing President” to score points during disaster relief in the run-up to the election, in contrast to his actions in September.

Brown is not the only one making the insinuation that Obama and his administration are responding too quickly to Sandy only for political reasons. He’s joined in his accusations by such prominent right-wing commentators as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and columnist Charles Krauthammer.

However, Brown’s comments carry a special irony due to the role he played during the Hurricane Katrina debacle in 2005. As director of FEMA during the legendarily botched response, Brown, famously dubbed “Brownie” by President Bush, was in the center of criticism from both sides of the aisle that the Bush administration was too slow to respond. An internal review by the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector-General following the disaster concluded, “Much of the criticism is warranted.” Brown resigned from his position as director less than two weeks after Katrina hit.

Because saving lives is less important than politics.

[Dalton]

Now the critique has mutated into a belief that Obama is currently “playing President”

HE IS THE PRESIDENT YOU MOUTH-BREATHING IGNORAMUS

[Slacker]

*facepalm*

I just...yeah, I don't even have words to express my contempt for the levels of dumb. I think there was an article on HuffPo that basically boiled down to the current FEMA director replying "Better early than late, jackass".

[Broomstick]

Absofuckinglutely - one reason that things are heading back to normal so quickly is that the government prepared in advance. And by "government" I mean all levels, from local to state to Federal. And the folks who are actually responsible for fixing shit are actually doing their jobs this time, setting aside partisanship (see Governor Christie and President Obama's recent interactions) for getting things done.

Meanwhile, failed mouth-breathers bitch about government acting too fast in order to save lives.

Can we dump Brownie on top of a roof wearing nothing but his underwear in a flooded part of New Jersey or NYC for a couple of days so he can have a heart-to-heart meeting with reality?

[Skywalker_T-65]

I think that shows what I went through reading that. OF COURSE HE'S ACTING LIKE THIS!! HE IS THE PRESIDENT YOU MORON!! (to quote Dalton)

Say what you will about Obama, but his disaster relief record is FAR better than Bush's. I should know, considering I'm from Joplin and he was on the ball there too. The sheer level of STUPID and politicking needed to claim that saving lives, and being prepared for Sandy is bad and trying to gain support is...just beyond what I thought even the current GOP was capable of.

[FSTargetDrone]

Brown who? That's nice. Anyway, speaking of the President's visit:

Posted: Wed, Oct. 31, 2012, 3:03 PM

Obama offers help during stop in Brigantine

By Joelle Farrell and Aubrey Whelan

INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS

President Obama told New Jersey residents "we are here for you," after touring the devastation along the New Jersey shore.

Obama, speaking in Brigantine, also praised Gov. Christie for being "responsive... aggressive...he has put his heart and soul into making sure the people of New Jersey bounce back even stronger than before."

The president was introduced by Christie who lauded Obama for his attention to New Jersey's plight.

"Obviously I want to thank the President," Christie said. "We spent a significant afternoon together surveying the damage up and down the Jersey coastline."

Referring to the need to restore electricity and begin the cleanup, Christie said, "I'm pleased to report that he has sprung into action immediately to help us get those things while we were in the car riding together," Christie said of Obama. "He has worked incredibly closely with me since before the storm hit. I think this is our sixth conversation since the weekend and it's been a great working relationship to make sure that we're going the jobs that people elected us to do."

Obama thanked local congressional delegation for allocating FEMA funding and thanked the local first responders and linesman and firefighters who were "shuttling out people who were supposed to 'get the hell out' and didn't. You've saved a lot of live and a lot of property."

He said New Jersey and three other states--New York, Connecticut and West Virginia--had been hardest hit and pledged help.

"...We are here for you and we will not forget; we will follow up to make sure that you get all the help that you need until you've rebuilt," Obama said.

He said there were over 2,000 FEMA personnel on the ground right now. He thanked federal lawmakers for helping to bring federal aid, Sen. Bob Menendez, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo.

"We expedited the emergency declaration for the state of New Jersey and for local counties that have been affected," Obama said. "What that means is people can immediately begin registering for emergency assistance."

And, there was help available to secure rental housing and to buy food, he added.

Help was coming from other states and military assets could also be used, he added to help with infrastructure, power and transportation needs. "...We are not going to tolerate red tape. We are not going to tolerate bureacracy."

Brigantine residents bundled up, packed a thermos and camped out by the marina waiting for Obama's appearance. Some stood in the cold for four hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Steve Kabala, collaring his dog Sandy in his front yard, said the neighborhood had weathered a tough few days. An unmoored boat from the nearby marina had sped down the street and only just missed his house during the storm, he said. He'd spent the day ripping up carpeting in his flooded garage and thought it was "great that Obama came."

"Hanging out with Christie is a little weird, though," he said, laughing. Christie, a Republican, has been a staunch support of Mitt Romney for president.

Up and down the street where Obama's motorcade was set to depart, residents hung American flags from their porches and chatted with neighbors about the damage they'd seen.

"We don't have anything else to do," laughed Nikki Schwendemann, who lives a few blocks from the marina. The small crowd cheered and clapped as he waved from the window of a black SUV.

Obama spoke briefly at the marina and shook hands with a few residents before leaving town.

"When you're stuck in something like this, you feel helpless," said Bob Lund, who shook hands with the president. "For them to come right in the middle of this means a lot."

Obama hugged Donna Vanzant, the owner of North Point Marina. She wore a navy blue hooded sweatshirt with the name of the business that she has owned since 1996. The marina has space for 90 boats and she said about 50 were damaged, but she is still assessing the full impact. The marina serves commercial clammer and crabbers and recreational fisherman and family boaters.

She asked Obama for help rebuilding the marina's docking system, which she said is not covered by insurance. He told her the people of Joplin, Miss., rebuilt and so will New Jerseyans. "You go back there now," he said, "and they rebuilt. That's what they do."

Earlier, at a Brigantine shelter, Obama told residents that the country was watching and help is on its way.

Obama and New Jersey Gov. Christie arrived in Brigantine after an hour-long helicopter tour of the hurricane ravaged state.

"I want to just let you know that your governor is working overtime to make sure that as soon as possible everybody can get back to normal," Obama told the residents who had taken refuge at the Brigantine Beach Community Center.

"Hopefully if your homes aren't too badly damaged we can get the power back on and get you back in. For those of you whose homes are damaged we've also got Director Fugate of FEMA and one of the things we're going to do is to activate and make sure you guys are getting the help you need as quickly as possible."

The president added: "The main message I wanted to send is the entire country has been watching what's been happening. Everybody knows how hard Jersey's been hit."

Obama entered the cafeteria of the center with Christie at about 3 p.m. and circulated from table to table greeting, hugging and posing for pictures with residents who had been forced out of their homes, according to the White House pool report.

At one point, he told the group, "These folks have been cooking for everyone for 18 hours straight" while posing for a picture with several people standing by the kitchen. Everyone in the room then applauded.

Obama, who wore a navy windbreaker, khakis and outdoor shoes, said the top priority was to get power restored, then perform a clean-up. He told the group the federal government was there to help and would get them help as quickly as they could.

Sandrine Burel, who had to be evacuated by boat from her Lafayette Boulevard home and stay at the shelter, said it was an honor to see the president in the same room.

"It's nice to know that he thinks of the little people too," she said.

Brigantine is a small community northeast of Atlantic City.

At the storm's peak, 200 people were sleeping in the Brigantine Beach Community Center gym. Currently there are approximately 50 people staying overnight with many others coming throughout the day to eat, charge their electronics and take hot showers

During their aerial tour, Obama and Christie flew over the Atlantic City skyline, then over Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, where they saw whole streets under water and walkways torn apart. They then flew over Seaside Heights, where they saw what appeared to be damaged amusement park rides and flattened houses and beach front homes with decks yanked off, among other destruction, according to a White House pool report.

They also flew over Point Pleasant Beach and then headed back toward the airport.

On the way here from the airport the motorcade went through Atlantic City proper but did not stop.

Here is a slideshow of some of the damage in New Jersey.

[Skywalker_T-65]

He told her the people of Joplin, Miss.

We're in Mississippi now? I didn't know that.

That being said, since the nation helped us so much, a lot of people from my hometown are spreading out to help. I know from a call with my mom that a lot of the smaller electric companies around the Joplin Area are heading out to help restore power for instance. I'm hoping this is a repeat of our tornado recovery in that regard...that the nation bands together and supports the people in need.

[Flagg]

Obama doesn't deserve to be acting presidential since he's a Muslim Kenyan who rigged the vote through ACORN. :v

[The Yosemite Bear]

It appears that BBC does more than Top Gear and the Doctor....

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Yeah, BBC Electric is from Joplin and those guys are working like they're possessed, they're just incredible. We finally have internet back because they restored power to the node and several thousand people by replacing a long string of downed poles in Carolina by a substation which were knocked out by a half a dozen huge pines falling in a row. They cut the old ones out--they weren't braceable--and finally got power back up, internet, and reopened Rte.118 all at once.

[Skywalker_T-65]

Like I said a couple posts up...Joplin is doing are darndest to give back all the help that was given to us last year. I'm not surprised that BBC Electric is working like men (and women) possessed.

[ryacko]

And to be honest...nobody really knows how the 'mole people' survive. Sure, dumpster diving, but...yeah, it's one of those real unexplained, uncomfortable things that nobody talks about.

This technically invalidates the 2010 Census if they aren't counted, come to think of it.

Say what you will about Obama, but his disaster relief record is FAR better than Bush's. I should know, considering I'm from Joplin and he was on the ball there too. The sheer level of STUPID and politicking needed to claim that saving lives, and being prepared for Sandy is bad and trying to gain support is...just beyond what I thought even the current GOP was capable of.

That was because Obama learned from some of Bush's lessons.

The hidden issue with overmobilizing for disaster relief would be the extra unneeded costs (which aren't negligible but are far smaller then what we spend on war). That said, if an earthquake in SoCal occurs, I would prefer excessive effort then insufficient. I'd rather not be treated as an numerical cost-benefit analysis.

[Executor32]

Time lapse of Sandy from 2 Northside Piers:

[Simon_Jester]

And to be honest...nobody really knows how the 'mole people' survive. Sure, dumpster diving, but...yeah, it's one of those real unexplained, uncomfortable things that nobody talks about.

This technically invalidates the 2010 Census if they aren't counted, come to think of it.

I would bet the census at least made a good faith effort to find them, and I don't think it invalidates the census if a handful of sub-populations literally living in caves refuse to talk to you. You make an educated estimate based on what information you can collect, and move on.

The hidden issue with overmobilizing for disaster relief would be the extra unneeded costs (which aren't negligible but are far smaller then what we spend on war). That said, if an earthquake in SoCal occurs, I would prefer excessive effort then insufficient. I'd rather not be treated as an numerical cost-benefit analysis.

Most excessive disaster spending will go to things that are probably good for the local economy in the long run, or at least harmless- like paying line crews a lot of overtime to get everything fixed in 48 hours when it "could" wait and be done in 72.

[Broomstick]

And to be honest...nobody really knows how the 'mole people' survive. Sure, dumpster diving, but...yeah, it's one of those real unexplained, uncomfortable things that nobody talks about.

This technically invalidates the 2010 Census if they aren't counted, come to think of it.

I would bet the census at least made a good faith effort to find them, and I don't think it invalidates the census if a handful of sub-populations literally living in caves refuse to talk to you. You make an educated estimate based on what information you can collect, and move on.

^ This.

I participated in the "homeless count" for the latest Census. There certainly is an attempt made to count the homeless and failure to count every single last one doesn't "invalidate" the Census any more than not counting every whackjob survivalist hiding in his bunker does (yes, a few of those were undoubtedly missed, too). "Good faith effort" is the best any Census can do.

[Slacker]

And to be honest...nobody really knows how the 'mole people' survive. Sure, dumpster diving, but...yeah, it's one of those real unexplained, uncomfortable things that nobody talks about.

This technically invalidates the 2010 Census if they aren't counted, come to think of it.

I would bet the census at least made a good faith effort to find them, and I don't think it invalidates the census if a handful of sub-populations literally living in caves refuse to talk to you. You make an educated estimate based on what information you can collect, and move on.

Also, technically, they've been always undercounted. If you want to look at it that way, not only is the 2010 census wrong, but you know, every census probably throughout the 20th century too.

[fgalkin2]

I've finally gotten power back yesterday, we're pretty much the only ones in the area to have gotten it- even neighboring buildings don't have it. One of the good things about being connected to a hospital's grid, I suppose. Still no cable, and thus no Internet. I don't expect it to be back until the area gets power back. Pics and stories then. My SoHo office is still without power, so not much help there.

The entirety of the NJ side of the Hudson from Hoboken to Ft Lee got flooded and is without power. Manhattan already looks like no hurricane ever happenend, but transit is a nightmare, and other than Wall St, nothing below 14th St has power.

Have a very nice day
-fgalkin

[General Zod]

The subways are starting to come back; I was able to get to a pre-screening for a job so things are looking up.